CHAP. I.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

61

rectly, after that hysteric struggle, her Republicsof the middle ages. Yes, feudalism was a modifi-cation unhappily made towards brute force.

From feudalism to despotism nothing but a

stepping-stone were the Republics-half of whose

citizens were generally in exile for years or life.Their substance confiscated, their houses sacked ordemolished. Did not Florence deprive herself ofher best and most distinguished individuals? Danteand Petrarch, where did they leave their bones ?Dante was condemned to be burnt to death ifcaught ; yet he had committed nothing deservingof any punishment. I mention it, because Italianhistorians leave it out.

Florence since she has had the grace to beashamed of it, tries to hide it. So even late writersdoubt or forget it. Yet it is a certain fact. Theoriginal sentence exists still. It is too atrociousfor silence. All mankind are interested not to per-mit forgetting an example of to what crimes partycan climb. But that way lies digression to loseourselves. Back to the tenth century.

After the edict of Constantinople had been form-ally disobeyed by Rome, also Ravenna and itsentire exarchate did the same, and nothing remainedto the Greek in Italy except some towns in MagnaGrecia. As early as 833 had the Popes fortified